#FactCheck- Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Price Hike

Introduction

The Kumbh Mela is known worldwide as India's most significant pilgrimage and has earned a place on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2017.  This year, the Maha Kumbh will be held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, with 40 crore devotees from all over the world expected to attend this momentous event from January 13th  to 26th February 2025. As the world embraces the blessings of digitalisation, people are increasingly relying on the Internet for arranging their travel, booking rooms, and securing accommodations for this grand spiritual journey. 

However, amidst this digital age, where the conveniences offered are manifold, there also lurks the shadow of deceit. Cybercriminals are finding innovative ways to entrap innocent individuals. Fraudulent activities are on the rise, with wrongdoers operating fake websites that promise secure bookings for cottages, tents, and other accommodations for the Mahakumbh event. Like the deceptive mirage that the desert traveller may mistakenly believe to be an oasis, these malicious sites lure pilgrims with the false hope of easy arrangements, only to exploit their trust and commit malicious cyber fraudulent activities. 

Policy and Preventive Measures Taken by Government

This year, the government has taken steps to utilise digitalisation services to enhance the experience of devotees, blending innovation with tradition. However, considering the rise in cyber scams, a dedicated cyber police station has also been established at Maha Kumbh 2025 to address threats such as the misuse of AI, the dark web, and social media platforms. This initiative aims to protect devotees from potential scams.

To strengthen safety measures, a special team of selected officers from across the state has been deployed in Mahakumbh Nagar, Prayagraj, to provide cybersecurity and ensure the safety of pilgrims. A dedicated cyber police station or digital police station will ensure round-the-clock monitoring of cyberspace.

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The cybersecurity team has already identified 44 suspicious websites and initiated action against them. To further safeguard devotees attending Maha Kumbh 2025, a large-scale awareness campaign is being conducted to educate users about potential cyber threats.

The Role of Digital Discipline in Navigating the Uncharted Waters of the Internet

As the Yajurveda (ancient Vedic scriptures of Hinduism) reminds us ‘सत्यं चानृतं च सत्यं अभवत्, यदेतत् तपसा तप्यताम्।’. This learning translates into English as "Truth and falsehood are both present, yet truth is purified through intense discipline”. The Mahakumbh is a confluence not just of rivers but of faith and humanity's eternal quest for truth (Satyam). In the digital age, this vigilance extends to protecting ourselves from cyber frauds and scams that exploit the sanctity of occasions like the Mahakumbh. Just as devotees seek purity through holy rituals, we must also embrace Digital Discipline to navigate the confluence of tradition and technology safely.

Here are some Digital Discipline best practices you must follow:

• Be cautious of fake websites, fraudulent travel agencies, and scam bookings. Always verify legitimacy before engaging in any  transactions.  
• Stay alert for fake donation requests and only contribute to verified organizations.
• Be aware of any mis/disinformation and implausible claims surrounding the Mahakumbh event and verify it from authenticated sources. The official website of Mahakumbh is https://kumbh.gov.in.
• To report any cybercrime or issue, you can report it on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at https://cybercrime.gov.in/, equipped with a 24x7 helpline 1930 that serves as a powerful resource available to the victims of cybercrimes to report their cases.

Conclusion

Netizens worldwide must prioritise Digital Discipline to ensure they are safeguarded from the snares of these cyber miscreants, so that they may safely and joyfully embark on their journey to the Maha Kumbh and receive divine blessings and purity of purpose through the experience.

References

• https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/up-police-gets-on-its-toes-to-ensure-cyber-safe-maha-kumbh-3335911
• https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/four-cyber-crooks-held-for-operating-fake-booking-websites-101735326388201.html
• https://www.indiatvnews.com/uttar-pradesh/maha-kumbh-2025-cyber-police-station-set-up-in-prayagraj-to-safeguard-devotees-from-online-frauds-in-city-preparation-security-other-details-2024-12-11-965745
• https://organiser.org/2024/12/12/268915/bharat/mahakumbh-2025-cyber-police-station-set-up-to-protect-devotees-from-ai-and-social-media-scammers/
• https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/maha-kumbh-56-cyber-warriors-deployed-to-safeguard-devotees-against-online-scams/2135062

Executive Summary:

A misleading video has been widely shared online, falsely portraying Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru stating that he was not involved in the Indian independence struggle and he even opposed it. The video is a manipulated excerpt from Pandit Nehru’s final major interview in 1964 with American TV host Arnold Mich. The original footage available on India’s state broadcaster Prasar Bharati’s YouTube channel shows Pandit Nehru discussing about Muhammad Ali Jinnah, stating that Jinnah did not participate in the independence movement and opposed it. The viral video falsely edits Pandit Nehru’s comments to create a false narrative, which has been debunked upon reviewing the full, unedited interview.

Claims:

In the viral video, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru states that he was not involved in the fight for Indian independence and even opposed it.

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Fact check:

Upon receiving the posts, we thoroughly checked the video and then we divided the video into keyframes using the inVid tool. We reverse-searched one of the frames of the video. We found a video uploaded by Prasar Bharati Archives official YouTube channel on 14 May 2019.

The description of the video reads, “Full video recording of what was perhaps Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's last significant interview to American TV Host Arnold Mich Jawaharlal Nehru's last TV Interview - May 1964e his death. Another book by Chandrika Prasad provides a date of 18th May 1964  when the interview was aired in New York, this is barely a few days before the death of Pandit Nehru on 27th May 1964.”

On reviewing the full video, we found that the viral clip of Pandit Nehru runs from 14:50 to 15:45. In this portion, Pandit Nehru is speaking about Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a key leader of the Muslim League.

At the timestamp 14:34, the American TV interviewer Arnold Mich says, “You and Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Jinnah, you were all involved at that point of Independence and then partition in the fight for Independence of India from the British domination.” Pandit Nehru replied, “Mr. Jinnah was not involved in the fight for independence at all. In fact, he opposed it. Muslim League was started in about 1911 I think. It was started really by the British encouraged by them so as to create factions, they did succeed to some extent. And ultimately there came the partition.” 

Upon thoroughly analyzing we found that the viral video is an edited version of the real video to misrepresent the actual context of the video.

We also found the same interview uploaded on a Facebook page named Nehru Centre for Social Research on 1 December 2021.

Hence, the viral claim video is misleading and fake.

Hence, the viral video is fake and misleading and netizens must be careful while believing in such an edited video.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the viral video claiming that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru stated that he was not involved in the Indian independence struggle is found to be falsely edited. The original footage reveals that Pandit Nehru was referring to Muhammad Ali Jinnah's participation in the struggle, not his own. This explanation debunks the false story conveyed by the manipulated video.

• Claim:  Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru stated that he was not involved in the struggle for Indian independence and even he opposed it.
• Claimed on: YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Formerly known as Twitter)
• Fact Check: Fake & Misleading

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Introduction

A disturbing trend of courier-related cyber scams has emerged, targeting unsuspecting individuals across India. In these scams, fraudsters pose as officials from reputable organisations, such as courier companies or government departments like the narcotics bureau. Using sophisticated social engineering tactics, they deceive victims into divulging personal information and transferring money under false pretences. Recently, a woman IT professional from Mumbai fell victim to such a scam, losing Rs 1.97 lakh.

Instances of courier-related cyber scams

Recently, two significant cases of courier-related cyber scams have surfaced, illustrating the alarming prevalence of such fraudulent activities.

1. Case in Delhi: A doctor in Delhi fell victim to an online scam, resulting in a staggering loss of approximately Rs 4.47 crore. The scam involved fraudsters posing as representatives of a courier company. They informed the doctor about a seized package and requested substantial money for verification purposes. Tragically, the doctor trusted the callers and lost substantial money.
2. Case in Mumbai: In a strikingly similar incident, an IT professional from Mumbai, Maharashtra, lost Rs 1.97 lakh to cyber fraudsters pretending to be officials from the narcotics department. The fraudsters contacted the victim, claiming her Aadhaar number was linked to the criminals’ bank accounts. They coerced the victim into transferring money for verification through deceptive tactics and false evidence, resulting in a significant financial loss.

These recent cases highlight the growing threat of courier-related cyber scams and the devastating impact they can have on unsuspecting individuals. It emphasises the urgent need for increased awareness, vigilance, and preventive measures to protect oneself from falling victim to such fraudulent schemes.

Nature of the Attack

The cyber scam typically begins with a fraudulent call from someone claiming to be associated with a courier company. They inform the victim that their package is stuck or has been seized, escalating the situation by involving law enforcement agencies, such as the narcotics department. The fraudsters manipulate victims by creating a sense of urgency and fear, convincing them to download communication apps like Skype to establish credibility. Fabricated evidence and false claims trick victims into sharing personal information, including Aadhaar numbers, and coercing them to make financial transactions for verification purposes.

‍Best Practices to Stay Safe

To protect oneself from courier-related cyber scams and similar frauds, individuals should follow these best practices:

• Verify Calls and Identity: Be cautious when receiving calls from unknown numbers. Verify the caller’s identity by cross-checking with relevant authorities or organisations before sharing personal information.
• Exercise Caution with Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information, such as Aadhaar numbers, bank account details, or passwords, over the phone or through messaging apps unless necessary and with trusted sources.
• Beware of Urgency and Threats: Scammers often create a sense of urgency or threaten legal consequences to manipulate victims. Remain vigilant and question any unexpected demands for money or personal information.
• Double-Check Suspicious Claims: If contacted by someone claiming to be from a government department or law enforcement agency, independently verify their credentials by contacting the official helpline or visiting the department’s official website.
• Educate and Spread Awareness: Share information about these scams with friends, family, and colleagues to raise awareness and collectively prevent others from falling victim to such frauds.

Legal Remedies

In case of falling victim to a courier-related cyber scam, individuals can sort to take the following legal actions:

1. File a First Information Report (FIR): In case of falling victim to a courier-related cyber scam or any similar online fraud, individuals have legal options available to seek justice and potentially recover their losses. One of the primary legal actions that can be taken is to file a First Information Report (FIR) with the local police. The following sections of Indian law may be applicable in such cases:
2. Section 419 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): This section deals with the offence of cheating by impersonation. It states that whoever cheats by impersonating another person shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with a fine, or both.
3. Section 420 of the IPC: This section covers the offence of cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. It states that whoever cheats and thereby dishonestly induces the person deceived to deliver any property shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to pay a fine.
4. Section 66(C) of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000: This section deals with the offence of identity theft. It states that whoever, fraudulently or dishonestly, makes use of the electronic signature, password, or any other unique identification feature of any other person shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to pay a fine.
5. Section 66(D) of the IT Act, 2000 pertains to the offence of cheating by personation by using a computer resource. It states that whoever, by means of any communication device or computer resource, cheats by personating shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to pay a fine.
6. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal- One powerful resource available to victims is the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, equipped with a 24×7 helpline number, 1930. This portal serves as a centralised platform for reporting cybercrimes, including financial fraud.

Conclusion:

The rise of courier-related cyber scams demands increased vigilance from individuals to protect themselves against fraud. Heightened awareness, caution, and scepticism when dealing with unknown callers or suspicious requests are crucial. By following best practices, such as verifying identities, avoiding sharing sensitive information, and staying updated on emerging scams, individuals can minimise the risk of falling victim to these fraudulent schemes. Furthermore, spreading awareness about such scams and promoting cybersecurity education will play a vital role in creating a safer digital environment for everyone.